Sunday, July 11, 2010

R.O.A.R. - Reform Ontario Animal Rights organized a protest at Queen's Park today to demand the Ontario government change the legislation governing the OSPCA (Ontario Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

On May 10, 2010 the OSPCA indefinitely shut the doors to its Newmarket head office and shelter due to a virulent strain of ringworm. All 350 animals in the shelter except the turtles would be euthanized. Due to public protest the mass killing was stopped but not before 102 animals were put down.

R.O.A.R. states on their Facebook page that the OSPCA is beginning to collect new animals which they are housing in a trailer on the property. They say the OSPCA described the ringworm outbreak as a matter of public health, yet they have not released information on the condition or care of the remaining and/or new animals or on the safety of the building.

Newmarket/Aurora MPP Frank Klees (pictured, above) said a "fundamental change" to the legislation was needed. Sunny Reuter of Richmond Hill (pictured, right) gave an emotional speech about the killing of her dog Arko, or 'Snowy' as they called him at the pound.

The organizers are asking the public to promote and sign this petiton. R.O.A.R. also has a Facebook group you can join.